Single Wicked Wolf (5 page)

“
Prego
,” Giovanni said. “Her name is Murphy DeWitt.” The reference to her snared her attention, and she glanced at the wolf opposite her. He winked. “
Si
, I will be sure to escort her to Willow Bend if she will allow me the honor.”

Nice hoodwinking. Propping her chin in her hand, she grinned.

“I will ascertain security for her, Salvatore. You have my word.” The hint of reverence in his tone warned Murphy, he was no longer discussing her. Irritated without reason, she cradled her cup to warm her hands and busy herself with another distraction. “
Si
. As you wish.”

After ending the call, he inclined his head. “Salvatore looks forward to meeting you.”

She didn’t choke on her tea, despite the hot liquid lodging for a moment. Managing to get it down without embarrassing herself, she raised her eyebrows. “Why would he want to meet me?” She was no one.

“Because I told him you were a lovely companion and promised to see you home safely. He is fond of Margo’s family and you are close with them, no?”

Well she knew them...she knew all the families in Willow Bend. “Friends with the bride more than the groom, but yes, I know Matt.”

“Perfect. Then it is my responsibility to care for you.” He sounded so damn pleased with himself she had to laugh. By the time they notified them their flight was ready for boarding, she was almost reluctant to leave.

True to his word, he stayed at her side. On the plane, she couldn’t get over the seats in first class. Not only were they luxurious, they could be extended into beds. Giovanni settled into the seat next to her, remaining between her and everyone else boarding.

Her wolf curled into a tight ball, and slept. Before they’d even taxied to the runway, she’d settled her head on his shoulder and let her eyes close. A short nap, she promised herself. One, small nap to chase away the drowsiness.

****

Two hours into the flight, Giovanni eased Murphy’s seat into a prone position so she could lie more properly. The stewardess returned twice—once to bring him an additional blanket for Murphy and the second time to deliver his coffee. The evening flight settled quickly, at least in first class. It had been under booked, so they only shared the cabin with three others. Of those three, two were businessmen and the third some kind of Internet celebrity.

The males put on their headphones, opened their laptops, and ignored the other passengers. The celebrity went to sleep nearly as fast as Murphy had. Amused, he glanced down at the beautiful wolf. The absolute trust she’d shown by snuggling to his shoulder and sleeping satisfied his wolf on a visceral level. A wonderful exercise to distract his beast from the fact Giovanni did not fly the airplane. He had his own license and often acted as pilot on Salvatore’s private jet. That honor would go to another Centurion when Margo and his Alpha flew to the States.

Thankfully, he’d handle getting them home so he didn’t need more than the one-way ticket to the United States. Even in first class, he couldn’t escape the buzz of conversation behind him or the need to be in the cockpit monitoring the pilot’s choices. Protecting Murphy, however, gave him and his wolf something to do. She thought he spoiled her, though he suspected she wouldn’t believe that taking care of her did him as much a favor as she received.

Sipping the dark coffee, he opened his laptop and connected to the flight Internet. He’d been to Willow Bend before, though only on the outskirts. For his current visit, he would be within the heart of the pack. The Alpha of Willow Bend granted him safe passage to prepare for the arrival of his Alpha pair.

Scanning the news reports for the region, he looked for specific types of articles. Each city had its own news reporting system, and want ads. Finding nothing in the regions west of Willow Bend, he checked several Internet advertising boards including Craigslist. Seven Hills wolves knew how to communicate via secure servers and private messaging, but nothing in the public realm was truly free of scrutiny by someone. So they’d learned to leave coded messages in plain sight.

It took him another hour and a second cup of coffee, but he was a patient hunter. The message appeared on a local paper message board for Lincoln, Nebraska. Three Rivers territory sat on the western side of the state. The message referred to a female canine, located, and in good health despite some bruises and scrapes, buried in the missing pets section. If he saw Lorenzo, he needed to remember to smack him. The date on the message was from two days prior, so Giovanni created an account and replied to the posting.

Do her tags refer to her owner? If they are missing, I can send you a photograph to compare.
He signed it simply
Concerned.
If Luciana required rescue of some kind, Lorenzo would answer and it would be routed to a blind email Giovanni set up to monitor Salvatore’s sister.

His Alpha wouldn’t approve of the lengths Giovanni had taken to keep his finger on the pulse of Luciana’s success or failure. After her deception and flight from Italy to the United States including the formation of a sixth, unsanctioned pack in a nation, which boasted only five, Salvatore disowned her and cut her from Seven Hills entirely. The blow had hurt his sister.

It had hurt all of them. The younger Luciana, though sweet and thoughtful, had possessed a most cunning intelligence and a ruthless temper to rival her brother’s. Dominant as she was, however, she was not Alpha—not the way her brother was and Giovanni had to wonder. Had Luciana finally begun to realize the full weight of her mistakes? Was she sustained only by her pride? It had been his decision to send Lorenzo across to Canada, then south to the States. He kept a low profile, avoided the Enforcers and any pack lands. His job had been of singular purpose—monitor Luciana.

A hand brushed his thigh, and he glanced at his sleeping companion. She’d rolled onto her side and stretched her arm out to rest a hand on him. Covering her hand with his own, he pet her skin lightly. A low sigh drifted from her lips and he smiled. Touch starvation happened when wolves were too isolated or too far from those who could feed their need for contact. Her work had taken her far away from her pack. Though from the gleam in her eyes and the spark in her voice, she had more than risen to the challenge of success in isolation.

Though she wasn’t truly isolated…she spoke via phone and email with her family.
If he hadn’t misunderstood, she’d also been in regular contact with her Alpha. Mason Clayborne, however, had not been the one to turn her. It had to have been the previous Alpha. Giovanni had notes on him, his research for their first foray into the U.S. had been thorough. Toman Carlyle possessed a rare reputation, as reviled by some as he’d been beloved by others. His dominant wolves had not fared well under his leadership, yet his more vulnerable thrived. Murphy definitely belonged in the latter category.

Alphas could and did turn humans periodically. They had the strength to control the wolf during the initial weeks after transition. Turned wolves needed care, and love. Sometimes, though, the transition killed. Giovanni traced a light circle on her skin. Murphy must have been extraordinary for her Alpha to take the time not only to turn her, but shepherd her through and she’d excelled. To live amongst humans exclusively with sparing contact to her pack would be difficult for some of the dominant natural borns he knew.

Giovanni never wanted to find out, personally. He went where his Alpha sent him. Handled whatever tasks his Alpha ordered. Salvatore earned his loyalty through fire and blood. Yet, he could always return home and he always had his pack. Still maintaining his light contact with her, he returned to his computer and began another search.

Every Centurion had a specialty in addition to their guardianship of all of Seven Hills. They acted as their Alpha’s eyes, ears, and when necessary, his justice. They could and had held the smaller packs when an alpha had to be removed. One Centurion had retired to tending such a pack on the border with Austria. Giovanni specialized in gathering information whether through interview, research or actual experience.

His ability to blend and disguise his strength served them well. He’d offered to immigrate to the Americas for Salvatore and to take a place in Luciana’s pack, but his Alpha refused the offer. Luciana, he’d stated coolly, had made her choice. Seven Hills would no longer stand between her and the world.

Understanding the Alpha’s needs conflicted with the love of a brother, Giovanni sent Lorenzo on his mission and kept tabs. Information gathered could prove useful. Protecting his Alpha, even from his own broken heart, was his privilege.

An hour later, he’d finished his coffee and research. They had several hours of flight time left, and he didn’t want to sleep. Their flight would arrive near ten in the evening local time. Rather than drive several hours to Willow Bend, he checked for an acceptable hotel and booked them a room. She’d told her mother she would get herself home, so he also booked a vehicle.

Finished, he contemplated his travel companion then sent an email to his hotel reservation ordering a meal, champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries. She said she wanted to experience all pleasures, and he was more than happy to indulge.

After putting away his laptop, he settled a hand on Murphy’s side. The steadiness of her breathing, the utter relaxation rolling off her soothed his wolf. Most of the plane’s passengers slept or listened to their films. They had offered him a choice of selections, but none interested him. A part of him almost wished Murphy would wake so they could continue their conversation.

Leaning his head back to the seat, he made some adjustments. A doze would keep him alert. The stewardesses had settled. They wouldn’t make another pass till nearer their destination unless he summoned them. Concentrating on the slow, steady beat of Murphy’s heart, he drifted. The plane’s engines remained steady and they flew level. Anything changed, he would know. They would have a full night ahead of them. As long as she slept, he would rest.

Movement beneath his hand roused him. His internal clock told him only a couple of hours passed. Next to him, Murphy rose on an elbow all deliciously rumpled and drowsy. Her gaze collided with his, and a smile flirted around her soft, sweet lips. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“We have several hours yet.” He stroked the hair away from her face, tucking it behind one of her ears. “Go back to sleep if you wish.”

Yawning, she stretched and caught his hand then tugged it to her lips. After she grazed a kiss against his palm, he caressed her cheek. “I shouldn’t. It’ll be late when we get in and I’ll never get back to sleep.”

Good. He wanted her wide awake in their hotel room. “I’m sure we can find something to do to entertain ourselves. I did not think you wanted to drive from Chicago immediately.”

“God no,” she yawned again. “Especially since Mom thinks I’m bringing my boyfriend.” Her eyes drifted lower.

Boyfriend? He frowned. No one claimed her. She’d been honest in her answer to his inquiry. Did she have a human boyfriend? Her lashes fluttered upward and she rubbed her cheek against his hand.

“Fictitious boyfriend so she’d stop picking on me to find someone.”

Understanding settled his gut. Parents wanted their daughters mated or married. He’d seen it with Salvatore’s mother. She periodically decided to pair up the Centurions with what she deemed suitable mates.

“You sure you don’t mind if I sleep some more?”

“Not at all.” Murphy had no need of a fictitious boyfriend. If she needed someone to show her mother she was fine, Giovanni would… The sound of her breathing evened and he frowned. Light. Loose. Easy engagements. He didn’t get attached and he’d never played ‘boyfriend’ for anyone.

A distant, rational part of his mind suggested it would be an ideal way to ease his entry into Willow Bend. He could play boyfriend to Murphy. Mason had already granted his entry, but his presence would have the wolves on guard and wary. She could soften the effect of his arrival, distract…

No.
If she desired his assistance, he would grant it.
But I will not use her.

Settling his head against the seat, he closed his eyes. The restful doze he’d found earlier eluded him, however, his concentration centered on the feel of her hand resting in his.

Chapter Four

Ninety minutes outside of Chicago, Murphy woke to Giovanni’s gentle caress of her cheek. The steward brought them hot towels. A pot of hot tea awaited her along with her cream and sugar. Freshening up helped chase away the fog of sleep, and the tea soothed her dry throat. Next to her, Giovanni sipped his coffee. He looked as crisp and ready to go as he had when she’d encountered him in the airport. Excusing herself to the tiny little stall of a bathroom with her purse, she checked her hair. She looked rumpled and disheveled.

An imprint of the pillow had creased into her cheek and her eyes were puffy. Running a brush through her hair, she tamed it into something resembling a ponytail before pulling it up into one fully. The plane banked slightly and she locked her legs to keep from tilting until the pilot adjusted.

A quick brush of her teeth with her finger and some toothpaste freshened her breath. It was the best she could manage under the circumstances. When she opened the bathroom door, she found Giovanni awaiting her.

Another bank sent the plane tipping slightly, and she didn’t have to brace herself—Giovanni took her arm and held her steady. The protectiveness rolling off him kept her from chastising his hovering. She’d been on plenty of planes before, but it hadn’t been so long since she’d been around a dominant wolf she didn’t understand the rules. Once their protective instincts were aroused, dominant wolves had a damn hard time letting it go.

“Thank you,” she murmured as he walked her to their seats. Her hot tea still steamed. She hadn’t been gone that long. He took her purse and stowed it for her as she settled in and buckled her seat belt. Hiding her amusement proved a struggle, more so when he took his seat and gave her an inquiring look.